Apparatus, system and method of access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) for traffic offloading

ABSTRACT

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and methods of Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) for traffic offloading. For example, an ANDSF Management Object (MO) may include one or more ANDSF policies, at least one ANDSF policy including ANDSF selection criteria to offload traffic between a cellular network and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); and a preference indicator to indicate a preference between the ANDSF selection criteria and Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria from the cellular network.

CROSS REFERENCE

This Application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/924,194 entitled “AdvancedWireless Communication Systems and Techniques”, filed Jan. 6, 2014, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Some embodiments described herein generally relate to traffic AccessNetwork Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) for traffic offloading.

BACKGROUND

A wireless communication device, e.g., a mobile device, may beconfigured to utilize multiple wireless communication technologies.

For example, a User Equipment (UE) device may be configured to utilize acellular connection, e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellularconnection, as well as a wireless-local-area-network (WLAN) connection,e.g., a Wireless-Fidelity (WiFi) connection.

There exists a need for solutions to enhance a level of cooperationand/or integration between WLAN and cellular networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in thefigures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to otherelements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numeralsmay be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogouselements. The figures are listed below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, inaccordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a user-profile node sub-object ofan Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) ManagementObject (MO), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP) node of an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) Selection policy (WLANSP) node of an ANDSF MO, in accordance withsome demonstrative embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an Inter System Mobility Policy(ISMP) node of an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of offloadingtraffic using an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a product, in accordance with somedemonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments.However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the artthat some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, unitsand/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscurethe discussion.

Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing”,“computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “establishing”, “analyzing”,“checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) ofa computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or otherelectronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform datarepresented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within thecomputer's registers and/or memories into other data similarlyrepresented as physical quantities within the computer's registersand/or memories or other information storage medium that may storeinstructions to perform operations and/or processes.

The terms “plurality” and “a plurality”, as used herein, include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, “a plurality ofitems” includes two or more items.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “demonstrativeembodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that theembodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure,or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment, although it may.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinaladjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a commonobject, merely indicate that different instances of like objects arebeing referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects sodescribed must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, inranking, or in any other manner.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Device (MD), awireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, amobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a Smartphone device, a server computer, a handheld computer, ahandheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheldPDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, avehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, aconsumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wirelesscommunication station, a wireless communication device, a wirelessAccess Point (AP), a wireless node, a base station (BS), a wired orwireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audiodevice, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, awireless area network, a cellular network, a cellular node, a cellulardevice, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a Multiple Input MultipleOutput (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output(SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO)transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennasand/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices orsystems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wirelesshandheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol(WAP) device, vending machines, sell terminals, and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networksoperating in accordance with existing Long Term Evolution (LTE)specifications (including 3GPP TS 36.300 (3GPP TS 36.300 V11.7.0 (2013September); Technical Specification; 3rd Generation Partnership Project;Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Overall description; Stage 2 (Release11)); 3GPP TS 36.331 (3GPP TS 36.331 V11.5.0 (2013 September); TechnicalSpecification; 3rd Generation Partnership Project; TechnicalSpecification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocolspecification (Release 11)); 3GPP TS 24.302 (3GPP TS 24.302 V12.3.0(2013 December); Technical Specification; 3rd Generation PartnershipProject; Technical Specification Group Core Network and Terminals;Access to the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core (EPC) via non-3GPP accessnetworks; Stage 3 (Release 12)); 3GPP 25.331 (3GPP TS 25.331 V11.7.0(2013 September); Technical Specification; 3rd Generation PartnershipProject; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; RadioResource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 11)); 3GPP TS25.304 (3GPP TS 25.304 V11.4.0 (2013 September); TechnicalSpecification; 3rd Generation Partnership Project; TechnicalSpecification Group Radio Access Network; User Equipment (UE) proceduresin idle mode and procedures for cell reselection in connected mode(Release 11)); 3GPP TS 23.402 (3GPP TS 23.402 V12.3.0 (2013 December);Technical Specification; 3rd Generation Partnership Project; TechnicalSpecification Group Services and System Aspects; Architectureenhancements for non-3GPP accesses (Release 12)); and 3GPP TS 24.312(3GPP TS 24.312 V12.3.0 (2013 December); Technical Specification; 3rdGeneration Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group CoreNetwork and Terminals; Access Network Discovery and Selection Function(ANDSF) Management Object (MO) (Release 12))), and/or future versionsand/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating inaccordance with existing IEEE 802.16 standards (IEEE-Std 802.16, 2009Edition, Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems;IEEE-Std 802.16e, 2005 Edition, Physical and Medium Access ControlLayers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation in Licensed Bands;amendment to IEEE Std 802.16-2009, developed by Task Group m) and/orfuture versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices whichare part of the above networks, and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, RadioFrequency (RF), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM(OFDM), Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA),Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extendedGPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation(MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System(GPS), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra-Wideband (UWB),Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), second generation (2G),2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 4.5G, Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP,Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular system, LTE advance cellular system,LTE Unlicensed systems, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA),High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), High-Speed Packet Access(HSPA), HSPA+, Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT),Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution(EDGE), and the like. Other embodiments may be used in various otherdevices, systems and/or networks.

The term “wireless device”, as used herein, includes, for example, adevice capable of wireless communication, a communication device capableof wireless communication, a communication station capable of wirelesscommunication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wirelesscommunication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, awireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integratedwith a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In somedemonstrative embodiments, the term “wireless device” may optionallyinclude a wireless service.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a wirelesscommunication signal includes transmitting the wireless communicationsignal and/or receiving the wireless communication signal. For example,a wireless communication unit, which is capable of communicating awireless communication signal, may include a wireless transmitter totransmit the wireless communication signal to at least one otherwireless communication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver toreceive the wireless communication signal from at least one otherwireless communication unit. The verb “communicating” may be used torefer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving. In oneexample, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action oftransmitting the signal by a first device, and may not necessarilyinclude the action of receiving the signal by a second device. Inanother example, the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to theaction of receiving the signal by a first device, and may notnecessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a seconddevice.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to aLTE network. However, other embodiments may be implemented in any othersuitable cellular network or system, e.g., a Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) cellular system, a GSM network, a 3Gcellular network, a 4G cellular network, a 4.5G network, a 5G cellularnetwork, a WiMAX cellular network, and the like.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to aWLAN system. However, other embodiments may be implemented in any othersuitable non-cellular network.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with aHeterogeneous Network (HetNet), which may utilize a deployment of a mixof technologies, frequencies, cell sizes and/or network architectures,e.g., including cellular, mmWave, and/or the like. In one example, theHetNet may include a radio access network having layers ofdifferent-sized cells ranging from large macrocells to small cells, forexample, picocells and femtocells. Other embodiments may be used inconjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network.

The term “antenna”, as used herein, may include any suitableconfiguration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antennaelements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. In someembodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receivefunctionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. Insome embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receivefunctionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receiveelements. The antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna,a single element antenna, a dipole antenna, a set of switched beamantennas, and/or the like.

The term “cell”, as used herein, may include a combination of networkresources, for example, downlink and optionally uplink resources. Theresources may be controlled and/or allocated, for example, by a cellularnode (also referred to as a “base station”), or the like. The linkingbetween a carrier frequency of the downlink resources and a carrierfrequency of the uplink resources may be indicated in system informationtransmitted on the downlink resources.

The phrase “access point” (AP), as used herein, may include an entitythat includes a station (STA) and provides access to distributionservices, via the Wireless Medium (WM) for associated STAs.

The term “station” (STA), as used herein, may include any logical entitythat is a singly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC)and a physical layer (PHY) interface to the WM.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a blockdiagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 mayinclude one or more wireless communication devices capable ofcommunicating content, data, information and/or signals via one or morewireless mediums, for example, a radio channel, a cellular channel, anRF channel, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) channel, an IR channel, and thelike, e.g., as described below. One or more elements of system 100 mayoptionally be capable of communicating over any suitable wiredcommunication links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may include at least oneUser Equipment (UE) 102 capable of communicating with one or more wirednetworks 180 via at least one Radio Access Network (RAN) 119, and/or viaat least one non-cellular network, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may include, for example, amobile computer, a MD, a STA, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, atablet computer, an Ultrabook™ computer, a mobile internet device, ahandheld computer, a handheld device, a storage device, a PDA device, ahandheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybriddevice (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA devicefunctionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehiculardevice, a mobile or portable device, a mobile phone, a cellulartelephone, a PCS device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device,a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a “CarrySmall Live Large” (CSLL) device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an UltraMobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an “Origami” device orcomputing device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, agaming device, a media player, a Smartphone, or the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, networks 180 may include one or morePacket Data Networks (PDNs). For example, networks 180 may include anInternet network, an IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) network,and/or any other PDN. In other embodiments, networks 180 may include anyother suitable additional and/or alternative network.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RAN 119 may include one or more cellscontrolled by one or more cellular nodes (“nodes”). For example, RAN 119may include an evolved Node B (eNB) 104, a Node B 196, and/or any othercellular node, e.g., a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station(BTS), and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, eNB 104 may be configured to performradio resource management (RRM), radio bearer control, radio admissioncontrol (access control), connection mobility management, resourcescheduling between UEs and eNB radios, e.g., Dynamic allocation ofresources to UEs in both uplink and downlink, header compression, linkencryption of user data streams, packet routing of user data towards adestination, e.g., another eNB or an Evolved Packet Core (EPC),scheduling and/or transmitting paging messages, e.g., incoming callsand/or connection requests, broadcast information coordination,measurement reporting, and/or any other operations.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may include a non-cellularnetwork, for example, a WLAN, e.g., a Basic Service Set (BSS), managedby an Access Point (AP) 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the non-cellular network may at leastpartially be within a coverage area of RAN 119. For example, AP 106 maybe within a coverage area of eNB 104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may also include a CoreNetwork (CN or CNW) 160, which may be configured to provide one or moreservices to UE 102, and/or to setup and/or manage communication betweenUE 102 and RAN 119 and/or networks 180, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, CN 160 may include one or more PDNGateways (PGWs) 173 to support a PDN connection between UE 102 and a PDNof network 180.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a PGW 173 may be associated with anAccess Point Name (APN). UE 102 may utilize the APN of a PGW 173, forexample, to facilitate a connection to network 180 via the PGW 173.

In some demonstrative embodiments, core network 160 may include anAccess Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server 162,which may be configured to assist UE 102 in steering traffic betweenRadio Access Technology (RAT) networks, for example, between RAN 119 andWLAN AP 106, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may include an ANDSFpolicy module 168 to determine one or more ANDSF Management Objects(MOs) 163 including one or more ANDSF policies, e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF policy module 168 may includeor may be implemented using suitable circuitry, e.g., controllercircuitry, processor circuitry, memory circuitry, and/or any othercircuitry, which may be configured to perform at least part of thefunctionality of module 168. Additionally or alternatively, one or morefunctionalities of module 168 may be implemented by logic, which may beexecuted by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may include one ormore interfaces to interface between ANDSF server 162 and one or moreother elements of system 100, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may include acommunication interface 164 to communicate the one or more ANDSF MOs 163to UE 102. For example, interface 164 may communicate the ANDSF MOs 163via RAN 119 and/or via WLAN AP 106. In one example, interface 164 mayinclude an S14 interface to communicate with UE 102 via as S14 referencepoint, or any other interface.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102, eNB 104, AP 106, and/or NodeB 196 may include one or more wireless communication units to performwireless communication between UE 102, RAN 119, AP 106 and/or with oneor more other wireless communication devices, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may include a cellularTransceiver (TRx) 146 to communicate with RAN 119, and a WLAN TRx 147 tocommunicate with AP 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 and/or WLAN TRx 147may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas. In oneexample, UE 102 may include at least two antennas, e.g., antennas 112and 114, or any other number of antennas, e.g., one antenna or more thantwo antennas.

In some demonstrative embodiments, antennas 112, and/or 114 may includeany type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wirelesscommunication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets,messages and/or data. For example, antennas 112 and/or 114 may includeany suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or moreantenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Forexample, antennas 112 and/or 114 may include a phased array antenna, adipole antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beamantennas, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, antennas 112 and/or 114 may implement transmit andreceive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antennaelements. In some embodiments, antennas 112 and/or 114 may implementtransmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integratedtransmit/receive elements.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 and/or WLAN TRx 147may include one or more wireless transmitters, receivers and/ortransceivers able to send and/or receive wireless communication signals,RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages,data items, and/or data.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLAN TRx 147 may be configured tocommunicate with AP 106 over a WLAN link, and cellular transceiver 146may be configured to communicate with RAN 119 over a cellular link.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the WLAN link may include, forexample, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) link, a Wireless Gigabit (WiGig)link, or any other link. In some demonstrative embodiments, the WLANlink may include, for example, a link over the 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) or 5GHz frequency band, the 60 GHz frequency band, or any other frequencyband.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 may include amultiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmitters receivers system (notshown), which may be capable of performing antenna beamforming methods,if desired. In other embodiments, cellular TRx 146 may include any othertransmitters and/or receivers.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 may include a turbodecoder and/or a turbo encoder (not shown) for encoding and/or decodingdata bits into data symbols, if desired. In other embodiments, cellularTRx 146 may include any other encoder and/or decode.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 may include OFDMand/or SC-FDMA modulators and/or demodulators (not shown) configured tocommunicate OFDM signals over downlink channels, e.g., between RAN 119and UE 102, and SC-FDMA signals over uplink channels, e.g., between UE102 and RAN 119. In other embodiments, cellular TRx 146 may include anyother modulators and/or demodulators.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLAN TRx 147 may establish a WLANlink with AP 106. For example, WLAN TRx 147 may perform thefunctionality of one or more STAs, e.g., one or more WiFi STAs, WLANSTAs, and/or millimeter Wave (mmWave) STAs. The WLAN link may include anuplink and/or a downlink. The WLAN downlink may include, for example, aunidirectional link from AP 106 to the one or more STAs. The uplink mayinclude, for example, a unidirectional link from a STA to AP 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may also include, for example,one or more of a processor 124, an input unit 116, an output unit 118, amemory unit 120, and a storage unit 122. UE 102 may optionally includeother suitable hardware components and/or software components. In somedemonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of UE 102 maybe enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnectedor operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may also include,for example, a processor 172 and/or a memory unit 171. ANDSF server 162may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/orsoftware components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all ofthe components of ANDSF server 162 may be enclosed in a common housingor packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using oneor more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of MME162 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

Processor 124 and/or processor 172 includes, for example, a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or moreprocessor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, amultiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, acontroller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, amicrochip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an IntegratedCircuit (IC), an Application-Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitablemulti-purpose or specific processor or controller. Processor 124executes instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of UE102 and/or of one or more suitable applications. Processor 172 executesinstructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of ANDSF server162 and/or of one or more suitable applications.

Input unit 116 includes, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, atouch-screen, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, orother suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 118includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat paneldisplay, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers orearphones, or other suitable output devices.

Memory unit 120 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), aRead Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM(SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, acache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memoryunit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 122 includes, forexample, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD)drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable ornon-removable storage units. Memory unit 120 and/or storage unit 122,for example, may store data processed by UE 102. Memory unit 171 maystore, for example, data processed by ANDSF server 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may be configured to utilize acellular connection, e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellularconnection, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)connection or any other cellular connection, to communicate with RAN119, and a WLAN connection, e.g., a Wireless-Fidelity (WiFi) connectionor any other WLAN connection, to communicate with AP 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, cellular TRx 146 utilize the cellularlink between UE 102 and RAN 119 to communicate traffic of one or morePDN connections, e.g., via one or more PGWs 173.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may establish one or morebearers, e.g., one or more Evolved Packet-switched System (EPS) bearers,via the one or more PDN connections between UE 102 and one or more PGWs173.

In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more elements of system 100may perform the functionality of a HetNet, which may utilize adeployment of a mix of technologies, frequencies, cell sizes and/ornetwork architectures, for example, including cellular, WLAN, and/or thelike.

For example, the HetNet may be configured to provide a service through afirst wireless communication environment, e.g., a cellular network, andto maintain the service when switching to another communicationenvironment, e.g., WLAN. The HetNet architecture may enable utilizing amixture of wireless communication environments, e.g., a WLAN environmentand a cellular environment, for example, to optimally respond to rapidchanges in customer demand, reduce power consumption, reduce cost,increase efficiency and/or achieve any other benefit.

In one example, system 100 may utilize a Multi-tier, Multi-Radio AccessTechnology (Multi-RAT) Het-Net architecture, including a tier of smallcells, e.g., pico, femto, relay stations, WiFi APs, and the like,overlaid on top of a macro cellular deployment to augment networkcapacity.

In another example, system 100 may utilize Multi-RAT small cellsintegrating multiple radios such as WiFi and 3GPP air interfaces in asingle infrastructure device.

In other embodiments, system 100 may implement any other architectureand/or deployment.

In some demonstrative embodiments, utilizing the WLAN connection as adefault connection, e.g., as long as UE 102 receives from AP 106 astrong enough signal, may result in an increase in the congestion of theWLAN, e.g., if a large number of UEs simultaneously connect to the sameAP, which in turn may result in a decrease of throughput over the WLANconnection between UE 102 and AP 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may be configured toenable selective connection of UE 102 to network 180 via the WLAN or RAN119, for example, based on one or more criteria and/or parameters, e.g.,as described in detail below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the selective connection between UE102 and network 180 via RAN 119 and/or via AP 106 may enable, forexample, load balancing between the WLAN and the cellular network.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may be configured tofacilitate a UE-centric (also referred to as “UE controlled”) accessnetwork selection scheme, in which UE 102 may select an access networkto be utilized by UE 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, UE 102 may include an offloadingmodule 145 to control one or more traffic offloading functionalities ofUE, for example, to steer traffic between the WLAN and RAN 119, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may include ormay be implemented using suitable circuitry, e.g., controller circuitry,processor circuitry, memory circuitry, and/or any other circuitry, whichmay be configured to perform at least part of the functionality ofoffloading module 145. Additionally or alternatively, one or morefunctionalities of offloading module 145 may be implemented by logic,which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g.,as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller 145 may make a trafficsteering decision, for example, to steer traffic from a PDN connection,e.g., via RAN 119, to a WLAN connection, e.g., via WLAN AP 106, and/orfrom the WLAN connection back to the PDN connection, for example, basedon selection criteria (“the RAN selection criteria”) provided by RAN119, and/or based on selection criteria (“the ANDSF selection criteria”)provided by ANDSF server 162, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RAN 119 may provide the RAN selectioncriteria to UE 102. For example, cellular TRx 146 may receive the RANassistance information via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, e.g.,from eNB 104, and/or via any other message.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the RAN selection criteria mayinclude, or may be included as part of, assistance information (“the RANassistance information”). In some demonstrative embodiments, the RANselection criteria may include one or more RAN assistance parameters,and/or one or more selection rules (“RAN rules”) corresponding to theRAN assistance parameters.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may provide theANDSF selection criteria to UE 102. For example, communication interface164 may send to UE an ANDSF MO 163 including the ANDSF selectioncriteria, e.g., as described below. UE 102 may receive the ANDSF MOincluding the ANDSF selection criteria, for example, via RAN 119, e.g.,via cellular TRx 146, and/or via the WLAN, e.g., via WLAN TRx 147.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF selection criteria mayinclude, or may be included as part of, assistance information (“theANDSF assistance information”). In some demonstrative embodiments, theANDSF selection criteria may include one or more ANDSF assistanceparameters, and/or one or more selection rules (“ANDSF rules”)corresponding to the ANDSF assistance parameters, e.g., as describedbelow.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF policy module 168 may determinean ANDSF MO 163 including one or more ANDSF policies corresponding to UE102. The ANDSF policies may include the ANDSF assistance information andone or more ANDSF rules configured to select between RAN 119 and WLAN AP106, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF assistance parameters mayinclude, for example, offload preference information. For example, theoffload preference information may include an offload preferenceindication to indicate, for example, a preference between accessingnetwork 180 via cellular access, e.g., via RAN 119, or via WLAN access,e.g., via WLAN AP 106. The offload preference information may be based,for example, on a cellular load of RAN 119, and/or based on operatorload balancing and/or traffic offloading preferences. The offloadpreference information may indicate, for example, how “aggressive” theoperator may allow UE 102 to use offloading to the WLAN.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF assistance parameters mayinclude, for example, one or more signal strength thresholds, e.g., asdescribed below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF assistance parameters mayinclude, for example, one or more cellular thresholds, e.g., including aReference Signal Received Power (RSRP) threshold, a Received Signal CodePower (RSCP) threshold, and/or any other threshold related to RAN 119.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF assistance parameters mayinclude, for example, one or more WLAN thresholds, for example, one ormore WLAN signal strength thresholds, e.g., one or more Received SignalStrength Indicator (RSSI) thresholds, one or more WLAN load thresholds,e.g., a BSS load threshold, backhaul bandwidth thresholds, one or moreWLAN metrics, e.g., available bandwidth and/or available throughput, andthe like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF assistance parameters mayinclude any other additional or alternative threshold, parameter and/orassistance information corresponding to RAN 119 and/or the WLAN.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF rules may include one ormore rules to enable UE 102 to select to offload traffic to the WLAN orRAN 119, for example, based on the ANDSF assistance parameters, e.g.,based on a comparison between one or more signal strengths and thesignal strength thresholds.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may determine theANDSF assistance information based on a status of RAN 119, e.g., basedon a load of RAN 119, and/or any other parameter of RAN 119.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF policy module 168 may determineone or more policies including the ANDSF assistance information and/orthe ANDSF rules, for example, an Inter-System Routing Policy (ISRP), aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Selection policy (WLANSP), and/or anInter System Mobility Policy (ISMP), e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF policy module 168 may generateat least one ANDSF MO 163 including the one or more policies, andcommunication interface 164 may send the ANDSF MO 163 to UE 102.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLAN policy module 168 may determinethe ANDSF MO 163 to include at least one node, e.g., a policy node,including the offload preference indication, e.g., to indicatepreference between RAN 119 and the WLAN.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLAN policy module 168 may determinethe ANDSF MO 163 to include at least one node, e.g., a policy node,including one or more thresholds. The policy node may determine validityconditions, for example, based on RAN assistance parameters or WLANassistance parameters, e.g., as described above.

In one example, the ANDSF MO 163 may include a policy node including oneor more WLAN thresholds (“the ANDSF WLAN thresholds”). The ANDSF WLANthresholds may include, for example, one or more WLAN signal strengththresholds, a BSS load threshold, and/or any other thresholdcorresponding to WLAN AP 106.

In another example, the ANDSF MO 163 may include a policy node includingone or more cellular thresholds (“the ANDSF cellular thresholds”). TheANDSF cellular thresholds may include, for example, one or more cellularsignal strength thresholds, e.g., an RSRP threshold, an RSCP threshold,and/or any other threshold corresponding to RAN 119.

In some demonstrative embodiments, providing the ANDSF assistanceinformation to UE 102 via the ANDSF MO may enable, for example,efficient and/or improved load balancing between RAN 119 and the WLAN,and/or increased Quality of Experience (QoE) of a user of UE 102, e.g.,when using both RAN 119 and the WLAN.

In some demonstrative embodiments, an operator of CN 160 may utilize theANDSF MO 163 to apply different traffic steering policies, for example,based on conditions of RAN 119. In one example, the operator may controlANDSF server 162 to provide UE 102 with ANDSF MO 163 configured, e.g.,with an offload preference indicator, to prefer a first WLAN network,e.g., if eNB 104 is highly overloaded, and to prefer a second WLANnetwork, e.g., if eNB 104 is not loaded. Additionally or alternatively,the operator may apply different policies to UEs 102 in cell center orcell edge, for example, by adjusting one or more of the signal strengththresholds. In one example, the operator may prefer one or more firstWLAN networks for UEs having a strong cellular signal, e.g., cell centerUEs, and one or more second WLAN networks for UEs having a weak cellularsignal, e.g., cell edge UEs.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF server 162 may be configured toindicate to UE 102 a preference between the ANDSF selection criteria andthe RAN selection criteria, for example, to enable coexistence of theANDSF selection criteria and the RAN selection criteria, and/or toresolve potential conflict between the RAN selection criteria and theANDSF selection criteria, e.g., when UE 102 receives both the RANselection criteria and the ANDSF selection criteria.

In one example, ANDSF server 162 may be configured to indicate to UE 102a preference between the ANDSF rules and the RAN rules, e.g., to resolvepotential conflict when both ANDSF and RAN rules are deployed by theoperator of CN 160.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ANDSF policy module 168 may includein ANDSF MO 163 a preference indicator to indicate a preference betweenthe RAN selection criteria provided by RAN 119 and the ANDSF selectioncriteria provided by ANDSF server 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the preference indicator may beconfigured to indicate a preference between RAN policies defined by RAN119 and ANDSF policies defined by ANDSF server 162, to indicate apreference between RAN rules defined by RAN 119 and ANDSF rules definedby ANDSF server 162, to indicate a preference between RAN thresholdsdefined by RAN 119 and ANDSF thresholds defined by ANDSF server 162, toindicate a preference between RAN assistance parameters defined by RAN119 and ANDSF assistance parameters defined by ANDSF server 162, and/orto indicate a preference between any RAN selection criteria defined byRAN 119 and ANDSF selection criteria defined by ANDSF server 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the preference indicator may have afirst value, e.g., “0”, to indicate the ANDSF selection criteria is tobe preferred, or a second value, e.g., “1”, to indicate the RANselection criteria is to be preferred.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the preference indicator may beincluded as part of a sub-object and/or a preference node in the ANDSFMO, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF MO 163 may include apreference flag, e.g., as indicated below.

In other embodiments, the preference indicator may be implemented aspart of any other field, element, value and/or node of the ANDSF MO 163,or in any other manner. In one example, the preference indicator may beincluded in a Universal Subscriber Identity (USIM) or on a MobileEquipment (ME).

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may receive theANDSF MO 163 from ANDSF server 162, e.g., via the core network, via RAN119, and/or via WLAN AP 106.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may receive theANDSF selection criteria, e.g., from ANDSF server, and the RAN selectioncriteria, e.g., from RAN 119.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF MO 163 may include thepreference indicator to indicate the preferred selection criteria are tobe either the RAN selection criteria or the ANDSF selection criteria.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may offloadtraffic of UE 102 between WLAN AP 106 and RAN 119, for example, based onthe preferred selection criteria, e.g., the ANDSF selection criteria orthe RAN selection criteria, indicated by the ANDSF MO 163.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may receive RANWLAN thresholds, e.g., defined by RAN 119, and ANDSF WLAN thresholds,e.g., as defined by ANDSF server 162.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may select touse the RAN WLAN thresholds, for example, when the preference indicatorindicates that the RAN selection criteria are preferred.

In some demonstrative embodiments, offloading module 145 may select touse the ANDSF WLAN thresholds, for example, when the preferenceindicator indicates that the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the ANDSF MO 163 may include theoffload preference indication to indicate between the cellular networkand the WLAN, e.g., as described above. According to these embodiments,offloading module 145 may select to offload the traffic of UE 102, e.g.,based on the offload preference indication.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a user-profile node sub-object 200of an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Forexample, user-profile node sub-object 200 may be included as part ofANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, user-profile node sub-object 200 mayinclude a preference node (“RulePreference”) 210 to indicate apreference between the RAN selection criteria and the ANDSF selectioncriteria.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the preference node 210 may have afirst value, e.g., “0”, to indicate ANDSF rules, e.g., one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds, are to be preferred, or a second value, e.g., “1”, toindicate RAN rules, e.g., one or more RAN WLAN thresholds, are to bepreferred.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP) node 300 of an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments. For example, ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1) may send to UE 102(FIG. 1) the ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1) including ISRP node 300.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ISRP node 300 may include ANDSFassistance information and/or ANDSF rules, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ISRP node 300 may include a branch(“RANParameters”) 302 to include RAN parameters, e.g., the ANDSFassistance parameters, to be provided to a UE, e.g., to UE 102 (FIG. 1).

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 302 may act as a placeholderfor RAN parameter conditions for a particular rule, e.g., forForFlowbased nodes and/or for ForNonSeamlessOffload nodes. In oneexample, branch 302 may be defined, e.g., as follows:

-   -   <X>/Policy/<X>/RANParameters

The RANParameters node acts as a placeholder for RAN parametersconditions for a particular rule.

-   -   Occurrence: ZeroOrOne    -   Format: node    -   Access Types: Get, Replace    -   Values: N/A

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 302 may include an offloadpreference indicator (“OffloadPreference”) node 304 to indicate whetherWLAN access or cellular access is preferred. For example, node 304 mayinclude the offload preference indicator, e.g., as described above. Inone example, node 304 may be defined, e.g., as follows:

-   -   <X>/Policy/<X>/RANParameters/Offload_Preference

The Offload_Preference node acts as a placeholder for 3GPP to WLANoffload preference threshold.

-   -   Occurrence: ZeroOrOne    -   Format: node    -   Access Types: Get, Replace    -   Values: N/A

OffloadPreference indicates whether the 3GPP access or WLAN access ispreferred based on the load on the 3GPP radio access network andpossibly other parameters or operator preferences.

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 302 may include a cellularthreshold (“CellularSignalStrengh”) node 306 to indicate one or morecellular thresholds. For example, node 306 may include the ANDSFcellular thresholds, e.g., as described above. In one example, node 306may be defined, e.g., as follows:

-   -   <X>/Policy/<X>/RANParameters/Cellular_Signal_Strength_Threshold    -   The Cellular_Signal_Strength_Threshold node acts as a        placeholder for cellular signal strength threshold, e.g., RSRP        or RSCP threshold.        -   Occurrence: ZeroOrOne        -   Format: node        -   Access Types: Get, Replace        -   Values: N/A    -   If the cellular signal strength as measured by UE is higher than        the threshold provided in this node the UE shall prefer the 3GPP        access for connecting to EPC.    -   NOTE: the value provide in this node is a default value, it can        be overridden by a new (cell specific) threshold provided by the        RAN.

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 302 may include a cellularthreshold (“WLANSignalStrength”) node 308 to indicate one or more WLANthresholds. For example, node 308 may include the ANDSF WLAN thresholds,e.g., as described above. In one example, node 308 may be defined, e.g.,as follows:

-   -   <X>/Policy/<X>/RANParameters/WLAN_Signal_Strength_Threshold    -   The WLAN_Signal_Strength_Threshold node acts as a placeholder        for WLAN signal strength threshold, e.g. RSSI threshold.        -   Occurrence: ZeroOrOne        -   Format: node        -   Access Types: Get, Replace        -   Values: N/A    -   If the signal strength as measured by UE is higher than the        threshold provided in this node the UE shall consider the        corresponding rule as valid.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) Selection policy (WLANSP) node 400 of an ANDSF MO, in accordancewith some demonstrative embodiments. For example, ANDSF server 162(FIG. 1) may send to UE 102 (FIG. 1) the ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1) includingWLANSP node 400.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLANSP node 400 may include ANDSFassistance information and/or ANDSF rules, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, WLANSP node 400 may include RANparameters, e.g., the ANDSF assistance parameters, to be provided to aUE, e.g., to UE 102 (FIG. 1). For example, WLAN SP node 400 may includethe RAN parameters as part of a Selection Criteria node 402.

In some demonstrative embodiments, node 402 may include an offloadpreference indicator (“OffloadPreference”) node 404 to indicate whetherWLAN access or cellular access is preferred. For example, node 404 mayinclude the offload preference indicator, e.g., as described above. Inone example, 404 may include node 304 (FIG. 3), e.g., as describedabove.

In some demonstrative embodiments, node 402 may include a cellularthreshold (“CellularSignalStrengh”) node 406 to indicate one or morecellular thresholds. For example, node 406 may include the ANDSFcellular thresholds, e.g., as described above. In one example, node 406may include node 306 (FIG. 3), e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, node 402 may include a cellularthreshold (“WLANSignalStrength”) node 408 to indicate one or more WLANthresholds. For example, node 408 may include the ANDSF WLAN thresholds,e.g., as described above. In one example, node 408 may include node 308(FIG. 3), e.g., as described above.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an Inter System Mobility Policy(ISMP) node 500 of an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments. For example, ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1) may send to UE 102(FIG. 1) the ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1) including ISMP node 500.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ISMP node 500 may include ANDSFassistance information and/or ANDSF rules, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, ISMP node 500 may include a branch(“RANParameters”) 502 to include RAN parameters, e.g., the ANDSFassistance parameters, to be provided to a UE, e.g., to UE 102 (FIG. 1).For example, branch 502 may include branch 302 (FIG. 3), e.g., asdescribed above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 502 may include an offloadpreference indicator (“OffloadPreference”) node 504 to indicate whetherWLAN access or cellular access is preferred. For example, node 504 mayinclude the offload preference indicator, e.g., as described above. Inone example, 504 may include node 304 (FIG. 3), e.g., as describedabove.

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 502 may include a cellularthreshold (“CellularSignalStrengh”) node 506 to indicate one or morecellular thresholds. For example, node 506 may include the ANDSFcellular thresholds, e.g., as described above. In one example, node 506may include node 306 (FIG. 3), e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, branch 502 may include a cellularthreshold (“WLANSignalStrength”) node 508 to indicate one or more WLANthresholds. For example, node 508 may include the ANDSF WLAN thresholds,e.g., as described above. In one example, node 508 may include node 308(FIG. 3), e.g., as described above.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of offloadingtraffic using an ANDSF MO, in accordance with some demonstrativeembodiments. In some embodiments, one or more of the operations of themethod of FIG. 5 may be performed by a wireless communication systeme.g., system 100 (FIG. 1); a UE, e.g., UE 102 (FIG. 1); an ANDSF server,e.g., ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1); an ANDSF policy module, e.g., ANDSFpolicy module 168 (FIG. 1); and/or an offloading module, e.g.,offloading module 145 (FIG. 1).

As indicated at block 602, the method may include processing an ANDSF MOincluding at least ANDSF policy, which includes ANDSF selection criteriaand a preference indicator to indicate a preference between the ANDSFselection criteria and RAN selection criteria. In one example, ANDSFpolicy module 168 (FIG. 1) may process ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1), e.g., asdescribed above. In another example, offloadability module 145 (FIG. 1)may process ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1) from ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1), e.g.,as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include generating theANDSF MO, as indicated at block 604; and sending the ANDSF MO to a UE,as indicated at block 606. For example, ANDSF policy module 168 (FIG. 1)may determine ANDSF MO 163 (FIG. 1), and communication interface 164(FIG. 1) may send ANDSF MO 163 to UE 102 (FIG. 1), e.g., as describedabove.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include receiving theANDSF MU at a UE, as indicated at block 608; and offloading traffic ofthe UE according to preferred selection criteria indicated by thepreference indicator. For example, UE 102 (FIG. 1) may receive the ANDSFMO 163 (FIG. 1) from ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1), and offloadabilitymodule 145 (FIG. 1) may select to offload traffic of UE 102 (FIG. 1)according to the ANDSF selection criteria or the RAN selection criteria,based on the preference indicator, e.g., as described above.

Reference is made to FIG. 7, which schematically illustrates a productof manufacture 700, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.Product 700 may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium702 to store logic 704, which may be used, for example, to perform atleast part of the functionality of UE 102 (FIG. 1), eNB 104 (FIG. 1),node B 196 (FIG. 1), ANDSF server 162 (FIG. 1), offloadability module145 (FIG. 1), and/or ANDSF policy module 168 (FIG. 1), and/or to performone or more operations of the method of FIG. 6. The phrase“non-transitory machine-readable medium” is directed to include allcomputer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitorypropagating signal.

In some demonstrative embodiments, product 700 and/or machine-readablestorage medium 702 may include one or more types of computer-readablestorage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory,non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable ornon-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. Forexample, machine-readable storage medium 702 may include, RAM, DRAM,Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), CompactDisk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory(e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM),polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory,silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppydisk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magneticcard, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. Thecomputer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involvedwith downloading or transferring a computer program from a remotecomputer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in acarrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link,e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 704 may include instructions,data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method, process and/or operations as describedherein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processingplatform, computing platform, computing device, processing device,computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like,and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware,software, firmware, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 704 may include, or may beimplemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program,a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words,values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitabletype of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code,executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Theinstructions may be implemented according to a predefined computerlanguage, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform acertain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitablehigh-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab,Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 includes a User Equipment (UE) comprising a Wireless LocalArea Network (WLAN) transceiver to communicate with a WLAN; a cellulartransceiver to communicate with a cellular network; and an offloadingmodule to offload traffic of the UE between the WLAN and the cellularnetwork, the offloading module to receive an Access Network Discoveryand Selection Function (ANDSF) Management Object (MO) including apreference indicator to indicate preferred selection criteria are to beeither Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria provided by thecellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided by an ANDSFserver, the offloading module to offload the traffic according to thepreferred selection criteria.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally,wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RAN WLANthresholds, and the ANDSF selection criteria include one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 2, and optionally,wherein the offloading module is to use the RAN WLAN thresholds when thepreference indicator indicates the RAN selection criteria are preferred,and to use the ANDSF WLAN thresholds when the preference indicatorindicates the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 2 or 3, and optionally,wherein the ANDSF MO includes the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 2-4, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an offload preferenceindication indicating a preference between the cellular network and theWLAN, the offloading module to offload the traffic based on the offloadpreference indication.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-6, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes one or more cellularthresholds.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 7, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-8, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP).

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-9, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes a WLAN Selection Policy(WLANSP).

Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10, andoptionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory and a processor.

Example 12 includes an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function(ANDSF) server comprising an ANDSF policy module to determine an ANDSFManagement Object (MO) including one or more ANDSF policies, the ANDSFMO including a preference indicator to indicate a preference betweenRadio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria provided by a cellularnetwork and ANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server; and acommunication interface to send the ANDSF MO to a User Equipment (UE).

Example 13 includes the subject matter of Example 12, and optionally,wherein the preference indicator is to have a first predefined value toindicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred, or a secondpredefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 12 or 13, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 14 or 15, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 12-16, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include an offloadpreference indication indicating a preference between the cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 12-17, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one or morecellular thresholds.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 18, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 12-19, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 12-20, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Example 22 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 12-21, andoptionally, comprising a memory and a processor.

Example 23 includes a method to be performed at a User Equipment (UE),the method comprising receiving an Access Network Discovery andSelection Function (ANDSF) Management Object (MO) including a preferenceindicator; determining preferred selection criteria by selecting, basedon the preference indicator, between Radio Access Network (RAN)selection criteria provided by a cellular network or ANDSF selectioncriteria provided by an ANDSF server; and offloading traffic of the UEbetween a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and the cellular network,according to the preferred selection criteria.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 23, and optionally,wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RAN WLANthresholds, and the ANDSF selection criteria include one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of Example 24, and optionally,comprising offloading the traffic according to the RAN WLAN thresholdswhen the preference indicator indicates the RAN selection criteria arepreferred, and offloading the traffic according to the ANDSF WLANthresholds when the preference indicator indicates the ANDSF selectioncriteria are preferred.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of Example 24 or 25, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes the one or more ANDSF WLANthresholds.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 24-26, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-27, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an offload preferenceindication indicating a preference between the cellular network and theWLAN, wherein offloading the traffic comprises offloading the trafficbased on the offload preference indication.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-28, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes one or more cellularthresholds.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 29, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 31 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-30, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP).

Example 32 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-31, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes a WLAN Selection Policy(WLANSP).

Example 33 includes a product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement a method at a User Equipment (UE), the method comprisingreceiving an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF)Management Object (MO) including a preference indicator; determiningpreferred selection criteria by selecting, based on the preferenceindicator, between Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteriaprovided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided byan ANDSF server; and offloading traffic of the UE between a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) and the cellular network, according to thepreferred selection criteria.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, and optionally,wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RAN WLANthresholds, and the ANDSF selection criteria include one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 34, and optionally,wherein the method comprises offloading the traffic according to the RANWLAN thresholds when the preference indicator indicates the RANselection criteria are preferred, and offloading the traffic accordingto the ANDSF WLAN thresholds when the preference indicator indicates theANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 34 or 35, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes the one or more ANDSF WLANthresholds.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 34-36, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 33-37, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an offload preferenceindication indicating a preference between the cellular network and theWLAN, wherein offloading the traffic comprises offloading the trafficbased on the offload preference indication.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 33-38, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes one or more cellularthresholds.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of Example 39, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 33-40, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP).

Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 33-41, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes a WLAN Selection Policy(WLANSP).

Example 43 includes a User Equipment (UE) comprising means for receivingan Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) ManagementObject (MO) including a preference indicator; means for determiningpreferred selection criteria by selecting, based on the preferenceindicator, between Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteriaprovided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided byan ANDSF server; and means for offloading traffic of the UE between aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and the cellular network, accordingto the preferred selection criteria.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 43, and optionally,wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RAN WLANthresholds, and the ANDSF selection criteria include one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44, and optionally,comprising means for offloading the traffic according to the RAN WLANthresholds when the preference indicator indicates the RAN selectioncriteria are preferred, and offloading the traffic according to theANDSF WLAN thresholds when the preference indicator indicates the ANDSFselection criteria are preferred.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of Example 44 or 45, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes the one or more ANDSF WLANthresholds.

Example 47 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 44-46, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 48 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-47, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an offload preferenceindication indicating a preference between the cellular network and theWLAN, wherein offloading the traffic comprises offloading the trafficbased on the offload preference indication.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-48, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes one or more cellularthresholds.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 49, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-50, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes an Inter-System Routing Policy(ISRP).

Example 52 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-51, andoptionally, wherein the ANDSF MO includes a WLAN Selection Policy(WLANSP).

Example 53 includes a method to be performed at an Access NetworkDiscovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server, the method comprisingdetermining an ANDSF Management Object (MO) including one or more ANDSFpolicies, the ANDSF MO including a preference indicator to indicate apreference between Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteriaprovided by a cellular network and ANDSF selection criteria provided bythe ANDSF server; and sending the ANDSF MO to a User Equipment (UE).

Example 54 includes the subject matter of Example 53, and optionally,wherein the preference indicator is to have a first predefined value toindicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred, or a secondpredefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 55 includes the subject matter of Example 53 or 54, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 55, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 57 includes the subject matter of Example 55 or 56, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 58 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-57, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include an offloadpreference indication indicating a preference between the cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 59 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-58, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one or morecellular thresholds.

Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 59, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 61 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-60, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 62 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-61, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Example 63 includes a product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement a method at an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function(ANDSF) server, the method comprising determining an ANDSF ManagementObject (MO) including one or more ANDSF policies, the ANDSF MO includinga preference indicator to indicate a preference between Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) selection criteria provided by a cellular network andANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server; and sending theANDSF MO to a User Equipment (UE).

Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63, and optionally,wherein the preference indicator is to have a first predefined value toindicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred, or a secondpredefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 65 includes the subject matter of Example 63 or 64, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 66 includes the subject matter of Example 65, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 67 includes the subject matter of Example 65 or 66, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 68 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-67, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include an offloadpreference indication indicating a preference between the cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 69 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-68, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one or morecellular thresholds.

Example 70 includes the subject matter of Example 69, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 71 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-70, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 72 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-71, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Example 73 includes an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function(ANDSF) server comprising means for determining an ANDSF ManagementObject (MO) including one or more ANDSF policies, the ANDSF MO includinga preference indicator to indicate a preference between Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) selection criteria provided by a cellular network andANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server; and means forsending the ANDSF MO to a User Equipment (UE).

Example 74 includes the subject matter of Example 73, and optionally,wherein the preference indicator is to have a first predefined value toindicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred, or a secondpredefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteria are preferred.

Example 75 includes the subject matter of Example 73 or 74, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 75, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 75 or 76, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 78 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-77, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include an offloadpreference indication indicating a preference between the cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 79 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-78, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one or morecellular thresholds.

Example 80 includes the subject matter of Example 79, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 81 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-80, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 82 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-81, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Example 83 includes a product including one or more tangiblecomputer-readable non-transitory storage media comprisingcomputer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at leastone computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor toimplement a method comprising processing a Selection Function (ANDSF)Management Object (MO), the ANDSF MO including one or more ANDSFpolicies, at least one ANDSF policy including ANDSF selection criteriato offload traffic between a cellular network and a Wireless Local AreaNetwork (WLAN); and a preference indicator to indicate a preferencebetween the ANDSF selection criteria and Radio Access Network (RAN)selection criteria from the cellular network.

Example 84 includes the subject matter of Example 83, and optionally,wherein the method comprises determining the ANDSF MO, and sending theANDSF MO to a User Equipment (UE).

Example 85 includes the subject matter of Example 83, and optionally,wherein the method comprises receiving the ANDSF MO at a User Equipment(UE), and offloading traffic of the UE using preferred selectioncriteria according to the preference indicator.

Example 86 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-85, andoptionally, wherein the preference indicator is to have a firstpredefined value to indicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred,or a second predefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteriaare preferred.

Example 87 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-86, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 88 includes the subject matter of Example 87, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 89 includes the subject matter of Example 87 or 88, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 90 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-89, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include an offloadpreference indication indicating a preference between the cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 91 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-90, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one or morecellular thresholds.

Example 92 includes the subject matter of Example 91, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 93 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-92, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 94 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-93, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include a WirelessLocal Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Example 95 includes an apparatus comprising means for processing aSelection Function (ANDSF) Management Object (MO), the ANDSF MOincluding one or more ANDSF policies, at least one ANDSF policyincluding ANDSF selection criteria to offload traffic between a cellularnetwork and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN); and a preferenceindicator to indicate a preference between the ANDSF selection criteriaand Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria from the cellularnetwork.

Example 96 includes the subject matter of Example 95, and optionally,comprising means for determining the ANDSF MO, and sending the ANDSF MOto a User Equipment (UE).

Example 97 includes the subject matter of Example 95, and optionally,comprising means for receiving the ANDSF MO at a User Equipment (UE),and offloading traffic of the UE using preferred selection criteriaaccording to the preference indicator.

Example 98 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-97, andoptionally, wherein the preference indicator is to have a firstpredefined value to indicate the RAN selection criteria are preferred,or a second predefined value to indicate the ANDSF selection criteriaare preferred.

Example 99 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-98, andoptionally, wherein the RAN selection criteria include one or more RANWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) thresholds, and the ANDSF selectioncriteria include one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds.

Example 100 includes the subject matter of Example 99, and optionally,wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include the one or more ANDSFWLAN thresholds.

Example 101 includes the subject matter of Example 99 or 100, andoptionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF WLAN thresholds include atleast one WLAN signal strength threshold.

Example 102 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-101,and optionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anoffload preference indication indicating a preference between thecellular network and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Example 103 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-102,and optionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include one ormore cellular thresholds.

Example 104 includes the subject matter of Example 103, and optionally,wherein the cellular thresholds include at least one threshold selectedfrom the group consisting of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)threshold, and a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) threshold.

Example 105 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-104,and optionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include anInter-System Routing Policy (ISRP).

Example 106 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-105,and optionally, wherein the one or more ANDSF policies include aWireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Selection Policy (WLANSP).

Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein withreference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may beutilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations,components and/or features described herein with reference to one ormore other embodiments, or vice versa.

While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, manymodifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur tothose skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that theappended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changesas fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver to receive an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) management object (MO) from an ANDSF server via an evolved NodeB (eNB), wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise an ANDSF rule and a provisioned offload preference indicator (OPI) which is operator specific and is to indicate a preference between an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)/UTRAN access and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access; and an offloading processor to select between using the ANDSF rule and a Radio Access Network (RAN) rule, and to route a traffic flow between the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN, at least in part based on the ANDSF rule and the OPI, wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise a WLAN threshold, and the offloading processor is to route the traffic flow through comparing a measured WLAN result with the WLAN threshold.
 2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise at least one policy selected from the group consisting of an inter-system routing policy (ISRP), an inter system mobility policy (ISMP), and a WLAN selection policy (WLANSP).
 3. The UE of claim 2, wherein the offloading processor is further to use the ISRP to route the traffic flow, when the UE is capable to simultaneously route the traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the offloading processor is further to use the ISMP to route the traffic flow, when the UE is not capable to simultaneously route the traffic flow to both E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a RAN parameter which is supported by the E-UTRAN/UTRAN.
 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the RAN parameter is further to comprise the WLAN threshold.
 7. The UE of claim 1, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a preference indicator to indicate preferred selection criteria are to be either RAN selection criteria provided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server.
 8. An Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server for use in a wireless network, comprising: an ANDSF processor to generate an ANDSF management object (MO), wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise an ANDSF rule and a provisioned offload preference indicator (OPI) which is operator specific and is to indicate a preference, which is to be used by a User Equipment (UE) to determine on routing traffic, between an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)/UTRAN access and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access, wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise a WLAN threshold to be used by the UE to route a traffic flow through comparing a measured WLAN result with the WLAN threshold; and a transceiver to transmit the ANDSF MO to the UE via an evolved NodeB (eNB).
 9. The ANDSF server of claim 8, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise an inter-system routing policy (ISRP), when the UE is capable to simultaneously route a traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 10. The ANDSF server of claim 8, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise an inter system mobility policy (ISMP), when the UE is not capable to simultaneously route a traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 11. The ANDSF server of claim 8, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise a WLAN selection policy (WLANSP).
 12. The ANDSF server of claim 8, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a Radio Access Network (RAN) parameter which is supported by the E-UTRAN/UTRAN.
 13. The ANDSF server of claim 12, wherein the RAN parameter is further to comprise the WLAN threshold.
 14. The ANDSF server of claim 8, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a preference indicator to indicate preferred selection criteria are to be either RAN selection criteria provided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server.
 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed, cause a user equipment (UE) to: receive an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) management object (MO) from an ANDSF server via an evolved NodeB (eNB), wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise an ANDSF rule and a pre-provisioned offload preference indicator (OPI) which is operator specific and is to indicate a preference between an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)/UTRAN access and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access; and select between using the ANDSF rule and a Radio Access Network (RAN) rule, and route a traffic flow between the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN, at least in part based on the ANDSF rule and the OPI, wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise a WLAN threshold, the instructions, when executed, cause the UE to route the traffic flow through comparing a measured WLAN result with the WLAN threshold.
 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise at least one policy selected from the group consisting of an inter-system routing policy (ISRP), an inter system mobility policy (ISMP), and a WLAN selection policy (WLANSP).
 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the UE to: use the ISRP to route the traffic flow, when the UE is capable to simultaneously route the traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the UE to: use the ISMP to route the traffic flow, when the UE is not capable to simultaneously route the traffic flow to both E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a RAN parameter which is supported by the E-UTRAN/UTRAN.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the RAN parameter is further to comprise the WLAN threshold.
 21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a preference indicator to indicate preferred selection criteria are to be either RAN selection criteria provided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server.
 22. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which when executed, cause an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) server to: generate an ANDSF management object (MO), wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise an ANDSF rule and a pre-provisioned offload preference indicator (OPI) which is operator specific and is to indicate a preference, which is to be used by a User Equipment (UE) to determine on routing traffic, between an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)/UTRAN access and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access, wherein the ANDSF MO is to comprise a WLAN threshold to be used by the UE to route a traffic flow through comparing a measured WLAN result with the WLAN threshold; and transmit the ANDSF MO to the UE via an evolved NodeB (eNB).
 23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise an inter-system routing policy (ISRP), when the UE is capable to simultaneously route a traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise an inter system mobility policy (ISMP), when the UE is not capable to simultaneously route a traffic flow to both the E-UTRAN/UTRAN and the WLAN.
 25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the ANDSF rule is further to comprise a WLAN selection policy (WLANSP).
 26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a Radio Access Network (RAN) parameter which is supported by the E-UTRAN/UTRAN.
 27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 26, wherein the RAN parameter is further to comprise the WLAN threshold.
 28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 22, wherein the ANDSF MO is further to comprise a preference indicator to indicate preferred selection criteria are to be either Radio Access Network (RAN) selection criteria provided by a cellular network or ANDSF selection criteria provided by the ANDSF server. 